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Predicting how many Big Ten teams will make the NCAA Tournament

After a surprising Big Ten tournament run last year, Penn State snuck into the NCAA Tournament, but this year, the conference could have fewer teams playing in March Madness.

By Josh Yourish

Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15)
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) / Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
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Locks

  • Purdue
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Michigan State

With three teams from the bubble making the tournament, that gives the Big Ten seven bids. The committee is always favorable to the conference, but I don’t see the total climbing any higher than seven. 

Last year, Penn State earned its bid with a dramatic run in the conference tournament, but I don’t see any team from the group of Michigan, Rutgers, Penn State, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio State that’s capable, though I do think the Buckeyes play their way onto the bubble. 

Purdue, Wisconsin, and Illinois are the true certainties from this group, but Michigan State’s resume doesn’t quite fit with the top group in the conference. Tom Izzo’s team just got beat by Wisconsin for the second time and a home win over Baylor is the best thing on the Spartans’ resume. However, KenPom loves MSU ranking them 18th in the country, one spot behind No. 8 Kansas. Despite a 2-7 record in Quad 1 games, the Spartans are 25th in the Net.

These 3 players should be replaced on the depth chart in 2024. These 3 players should be replaced on the depth chart in 2024. dark. Next

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